This is the fifth of five parts on setting up online events. While focusing on storytelling, the information applies to any performing arts or virtual event. Our blog as well as our All Things Story Virtual Workshop Series are wonderful professional development resources.
5-Parts:
- Part 1 – Event Type, Audience, Timing & Pricing – REVEALED
- Part 2 – Choosing the Right Platform & Registration – REVEALED
- Part 3 – Rapports & Introductions – REVEALED
- Part 4 – Test Runs, Sound Checks & Logistics – REVEALED
- Part 5 – Feedback Forms and Follow-Ups – TODAY
You’re done, right? The event is done…or is it?
Take the opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. Most likely, this event is one of many you will do.
Besides finding out what people loved best, you can notice what is NOT mentioned. This is as much of an eye-opener as anything else.
No matter if live or virtual, we have always involved feedback forms. Though, we always had these forms as hard copies with two other options – Large Print and Spanish. This was the first year we did all the feedback forms through online means.
Even when virtual events are free, having a type of registration and/or a “plan on virtually attending” form allows for an email to ask a couple questions.
However, we prefer to use Google Forms.
Here are common questions on ours…please adapt as you wish or use the wording exactly. As long as this is helpful, we are happy.
- Basics – Name, Position/Role (teacher, parent, storyteller, etc.), city/country, Zipcode
- Email – if do not already have from registration (helpful if people decide to be part of Story Crossroads E-Newsletter, email lists, etc.)
- How did you enjoy _____________________ (performance/workshop/presentation)? What did you like best? Find interesting?
- Did ________________________ (performance/workshop/presentation) meet your expectations? Why or why not?
- What action(s) will you now take with ________________ (storytelling/writing/acting/singing, etc.) as a result of experiencing ____________________ (performance/workshop/presentation)?
- Does Story Crossroads have permission to quote your comments on publications, fan page, websites, etc.?
- Would you like to be added to any of our email lists and/or volunteer for Story Crossroads in some way? (list out the options – people can fill out as many as wished – only ask if not part of registration)
- How did you learn about this virtual opportunity? (ask if not part of registration)
- Do you have questions or comments?
We find that feedback forms that are any longer…have a harder time for completed ones to be submitted.
Sometimes, all you want is a simple 1 to 5 or 1 to 10 rating sent in an email. No Google Forms. Nothing complicated. Yet, this is so much more than what most people do. We noticed this approach for “History in Person: A Virtual Chautauqua Festival.”
While having many sessions, the St. Louis Storytelling Festival gave a link to a Google Form after each session. They posted it at the beginning of the livestream and then at the end.
We recommend posting at least five times per session:
- Beginning, close or part of the welcoming message
- Three times in the middle – spaced between real-time comments from other participants
- End, close or part of the thank you/come again/upcoming events after this message
Once you have responses to the feedback forms, actually add people to your E-newsletters, email lists, or reach out if they wish to volunteer within a day or two.
For those who do not respond–or as a general email to all your registrants–you can send a “last chance/farewell” that you will no longer email them unless they chose to be part of your lists.
Who knows? Those people could be lifetime fans, tell their friends and family, and more lifetime fans cheer on what you are doing.
All because you realized that the end is not the end. Only a beginning.
You can make this virtual. You can realize your dreams for it.
Our next 5-part blog series will be “What We Learned About Proper-Distanced Events” on rephasing into live performance with safety measures.
Find our E-Newsletter and Email List Sign-Ups.
See our already-streamed/recorded The Big Why Panel: Historical Storytelling meets Humanities. See our 5-video playlist from the Story Crossroads Spectacular by clicking here.